Pa. House passes bill to raise minimum wage

The bill would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $11 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027, then to $13 in 2028, and $15 in 2029.

A proposal to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029 is headed to the state Senate after clearing the House Tuesday, setting up the next phase of debate after years of stalled efforts.

Mon Valley-area lawmakers split largely along party lines in the vote, with Democrats — including state Reps. Dan Goughnour of McKeesport and Abigail Salisbury of Swissvale — supporting the measure, while Republicans Eric Davanzo of Smithton, Bud Cook of West Pike Run Township, Andrew Kuzma of Elizabeth Township, Matthew Dowling of Fayette County, Ryan Warner of Perryopolis and Tim O’Neal of South Strabane Township opposed it. State Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Peters Township, was the lone area Republican to vote in favor of the bill, making her one of only a handful of GOP lawmakers statewide to break ranks.

“Pennsylvania families are struggling with inflation and it’s clear we need to do more to make everyday life more affordable,” Mihalek said. “Take the partisan politics out of it; $7.25 an hour is simply not a realistic wage for anyone.”

The Pennsylvania House approved the measure in a 104-95 vote. Democrats, who hold a slim majority in the chamber, pushed the bill forward for the third consecutive year, while most Republicans opposed it.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, tied to the federal minimum and unchanged despite increases in neighboring states.

“If you work hard, you shouldn’t have to worry about your next meal or having a roof over your head. Pennsylvania needs a minimum wage suitable for everyone, not just to survive, but to thrive in our state,” state Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Philadelphia, the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement.

Under the proposal, the minimum wage would increase to $11 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2027, $13 an hour in 2028 and $15 an hour in 2029.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2030, the wage would adjust annually based on inflation using the consumer price index for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland region.

The legislation also would allow counties to adopt a $15 minimum wage sooner and would set the minimum wage for tipped employees at 60% of the statewide minimum.

Supporters argue the increase is necessary to help workers keep pace with rising costs and to bring Pennsylvania in line with surrounding states that have already raised their minimum wages.

Opponents, however, have raised concerns about the potential impact on small businesses, nonprofits and job creators, particularly in rural and economically diverse areas of the state.

The legislation now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where leaders have signaled caution and the possibility of changes.

Local senators offered differing perspectives as the bill heads to the upper chamber.

Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, said, “Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained unchanged for far too long.”

“I have previously supported responsible, gradual increases that allow our economy to adjust, including my vote for Senate Bill 79 in 2019, which proposed a phased increase to $9.50 over several years,” Bartolotta said.

“Unfortunately, that approach wasn’t enough for the House, and as a result, we find ourselves years later with no change at all,” she said.

“As House Bill 2189 comes before the Senate, I will carefully review its details,” Bartolotta said.

“Any increase must balance support for workers with the realities facing our mom-andpop businesses, nonprofits, and job creators in our communities,” she said.

“We need to make sure any changes take into account the different economic conditions that exist across our Commonwealth,” she said.

Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, said, “Working Pennsylvanians are long overdue for a raise.”

“While every neighboring state has raised its minimum wage, Pennsylvania has remained stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009, and in that time, rising costs mean that $7.25 buys half of what it did at that time,” Pisciottano said.

“We need to make life more affordable for the nearly one million Pennsylvanians who would benefit from the bill just passed by the State House,” he said.

“It’s time for the Senate to take up this bill, and I’ll be proud to vote yes on a minimum wage increase.”

As the proposal moves forward, its chances in the Senate remain uncertain, with Republican leadership signaling openness to discussion but not committing to bringing the bill up for a vote.

Senate Democratic leaders are urging action.

“We call on our Senate Republican colleagues to bring up this bill for a vote in the Senate as soon as possible,” Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said in a news release. “The PA House of Representatives today passed a minimum wage bill that, in one swift motion, champions working families, economic development, and affordability by sending HB 2189 to the Senate. Raising PA’s minimum wage to $15/ hour is a top priority for Senate Democrats as we fight for an economy that works for every Pennsylvanian, and we are grateful to have allies in Governor Shapiro and House Democrats in this critical mission. Senate Democrats are ready to vote this bill up right now, so only one question remains: Where do Senate Republicans stand on supporting Pennsylvania’s hard-working families?”

Gov. Josh Shapiro echoed that sentiment, noting the House has now acted on minimum wage legislation for three straight years.

“The ball is now in the Senate Republicans’ court. It’s time for them to bring this to a vote and send it to my desk,” Shapiro said in a post on X.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana County, said any increase must be carefully balanced.

“Making sure working families have access to good, family-sustaining jobs is key to helping our commonwealth thrive. Implementing policies which help to create more maximum wage jobs will help to grow our economy,” Pittman said. “There is potential to finding a middle ground for an increase to the minimum wage, but any possible action would need to be a common-sense adjustment, and sensitive to the impact changes would have on small businesses and nonprofit organizations.”